What is biotechnology? This technology manipulates the genes, enzymes, cells and tissues for the need of the humans. It includes genetic engineering, cloning, production of drugs and vaccines, and also genetically engineered seeds to boost the production of food.

India is now among the world’s top 12 biotech power, according to India Today. This industry is growing at a rate of 25% annually. In five short years, India is expected to generate over $5Billion in revenues from this industry. It will create more than one million new jobs within the next five years. Most global pharmaceutical companies and other industries which rely on bio-tech will enter India in a big way, if not already. When President Bush restricted federal financing for stem-cell research due to his Christian beliefs, it opened up new opportunities for the bio-tech industry in India. Religious and moral considerations are not inhibiting the growth of this industry in India. Should it? Does our ancient dharma support this modern science or not? Is it ethical? Is this a true resurrection of our ancient wisdom? Is this a valid intersection of modern science, spirituality and ancient history? Should this industry be regulated?

Rakesh Maniktala eloquently writes that Spiritualism, Modern Science and Ancient History are as much related to each other as the three corners of an equilateral triangle. Humanity would not exist today without the three. Scientific development without spirituality is like a body without a soul. Both need to go hand in hand. Ancient history provides us with illustrations when this was very much possible. In ancient India, our culture was highly advanced – scientifically and spiritually. Society and the rulers were guided by sages, who were master exponents of meta-physical skills and even conquered death through yoga and meditation. These sages were environmental friendly and knew unlimited sources of energy. To realize the dream of a spiritual-scientific culture on earth, we must not only drive the spiritual level of modern society, but also link modern science to the teachings from ancient India and our Vedas.

Swami Brahmeshananda has written, ‘It is interesting to note that Indian scriptures and history present a number of instances of biotechnological interferences, especially in the process of birth. We have, for example, the case of life produced from dead matter; Ganesha was born out of the bodily dust of Mother Parvati. Another example is the birth of Draupadi and Drishtadyumna through yajna - a case of birth without parents. Sri Rama and his three brothers were born when the milk obtained from yajna was fed to the mothers. Here, although mothers are there, there was no sexual union. Then there is the interesting case of transference of embryo from the womb of one mother to that of the other. According to Jain mythology, the soul of the Lord Mahavira first got embodied as an embryo in the womb of a Brahmin mother. However, the Gods transferred it into the womb of a Kshatriya mother - a queen. A similar transference of the embryo of Balaram from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini is described in the Vedic literature. Cases of growth and nurturing of a fertilized ovum outside the mother's womb - equivalent to test-tube babies - is also found in Indian mythology. The embryo of the Kauravas emerged from the womb of Gandhari in the form of a single egg. But when it did not grow into a baby for a long time, in desperation it was broken into hundred pieces each one of which became one Kaurava prince. The embryo of sage Agastya too hatched outside the womb, in a pitcher. Then, there are stories of duplication of bodies - similar bodies having being produced from one body, akin to cloning. Sage Kardama produced with the help of yogic power nine bodies identical to his own. Finally, there are a number of examples of resorting to yajna, tapas (austerities) or yoga for obtaining progeny of one's own choice. Thus, in Indian religious tradition, the possibility of unnatural occurrences and interference in the natural biological processes has not been denied.’

However, our Vedic values do not encourage technological interferences in the normal human life processes. Such interferences are unpredictable in their results and may even prove dangerous. What if we are trying to clone a genius and instead create a ‘Rakshash’? In India, many modern sciences have been misused. The mass murder of girl fetuses has been an evil effect of the widespread availability of ultrasound. If left unregulated, biotech could also be misused. The poor will become guinea pigs.

Besides, according to our Vedic beliefs, life begins on conception. This is illustrated well in the story of Arjuna and Abhimanyu from the Mahabharata. Arjuna was describing the strategy for the war to his pregnant wife, Subhadra. Abhimanyu was still in the womb. She falls asleep while the last stage of the strategy is being described. Years later, when Abhimanyu grows up, he is able to fight well until the last stage of the war. At the seventh stage of the war, he falters and gets killed! If life begins on conception, then stem-cell research may not be ethical.

In my opinion, while our Vedic literature has examples of bio-technological advances, I do not believe that it encouraged its widespread application. The direction, patronage and blessings of Gurus or saints or sages is critical when bio-tech was applied on an exception basis. In this Kalyug, such advances should be strongly regulated and limited.

I invite the readers to write to me with their perspective at kuhu_nayan@hotmail.com. I would like to thank the writers of the articles below for inspiring me to read, research and write about this fascinating topic.

Sources: Sri Sri GuruMaa’s Pravachans and (1) The Spiritual Phenomenon in the Light of Biotechnology by SWAMl BRAHMESHANANDA (2) How India Reconciles Hindu Values And Biotech by Pankaj Mishra in the New York Times, 8/21/05 (3) Spiritualism, Modern Science and Ancient History by Rakesh Maniktala from World-Mysteries.com (4) Articles from India Today including Cures from the Past, The Seeds of a Revolution, Biotech Bonanza (5) Articles from BBC including India’ Biocon doubles profits, Indian firms embrace biotechnology, Bob Shapiro: In his own words, India to clone cheetah